Commission on the City Plan

MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN Tuesday, August 18, 2015 – 7:00 PM 23 UNION STREET NORWICH CONNECTICUT LOWER LEVEL MEETING ROOM REGULAR MEETING AGENDA ITEMS A, B & C-CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, DETERMINATION OF QUORUM: Art Sharron, Vice Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Commission Members Present: Art Sharron, Michael Lahan, Frank Manfredi, Les King, John Mathieu and Daniel Daniska. A quorum was present. Absent: Ralph Page Also Present: Peter Davis, Director and Debra Delaporta, Recording Secretary D. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Upon motion by Les King and seconded by Frank Manfredi, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the July 21, 2015 Regular Meeting. E. COMMUNICATIONS: Department referral recommendations from City Engineer Pat McLaughlin and Jim Troeger, Building Official in regards to SDP #1033. Mr. Davis stated that these recommendations would be addressed in presentation of SDP #1033. F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None G. OLD BUSINESS: None H. NEW BUSINESS: 1: SDP #1033-620 West Main St: Application of Norwich Chicken LLC - Renovation of 2580 sq ft restaurant with site improvements, drive thru and parking. Peter Davis presented SDP #1033. He stated the proposed plan was for the old Friendly’s building, and that the reason it was before the Commission was because of the reconfiguration of the parking lot and the addition of five parking spaces. The tenant would be changing, but the existing building would remain with a change of colors and design. The curb cut would remain the same. At this point, Mr. Davis turned the presentation over to Tom Cummings, who showed the Commission the plan and explained the setup and drive-thru for the new restaurant. He said that the parking lot was being raised, and the handicapped parking spaces were being brought up to code, which was the recommendation from City Building Official Jim Troeger. Mr. Cummings explained that there would be an eat-in area of about 50 seats. Bill Sweeney, representing Norwich Chicken LLC stated that no work was needed to be done in the DOT right of way, and that the company would be leasing the building from Simon Konover, owner of the entire complex. Mr. Sweeney explained that the company was an experienced restaurant developer and that this was a good opportunity to fill the building which has been vacant for three years. Mr. Davis then read the comments from City Engineer Pat McLaughlin, and Mr. Cummings stated that these issues had been corrected on the revised plan. Peter Davis recommended that a bond be posted for $33,650, which was fifty percent (50%) of the bond estimate submitted, prior to the mylars being signed. The company has a target date of opening early in 2016 according to Bill Sweeney. Frank Manfredi then made a motion to approve SDP #1033, seconded by Les King. All members were in favor to APPROVE the plan, with the condition that fifty percent (50%) of the bond be posted. I. EXTENSIONS: None J: BOND RELEASES: None K. ZONING MATTERS: None Peter Davis asked for suspension of the rules to add discussion of the Comprehensive Plan Update Project to the agenda. Art Sharon made a motion to suspend the rules, seconded by John Mathieu, with all CCP members in favor. Mr. Davis then discussed some of the changes, and made a recommendation that the Commission forward a favorable advisory opinion to the City Council, reserving the right to submit comments at the Public Hearing to be held in September. Art Sharron made a motion to forward a favorable advisory opinion to the City Council, seconded by Frank Manfredi, with all members in favor. L. OTHER BUSINESS: Executive session-Pending Litigation A motion was made by Art Sharron to enter Executive Session at 7:29pm. Attorney Michael Ziska and Sergeant Peter Camp were invited to participate. At 8:16 pm, Art Sharron made a motion to adjourn Executive Session. No votes were taken. M. ADJOURMENT: Upon motion by Michael Lahan, seconded by Les King, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 PM.